“The long time ministerial servant, son of the city overseer in Port Townsend WA gets the max they could give him. It's ironic that his father and other long time elders have been hiding another long time molester in their hall, and the victims keep piling up!"

According to sources Kozelisky molested his step daughter and then was caught by her molesting his biological daughter five years later. Will this count as “two eye witnesses”? or will he remain a Ministerial Servant??

In Jefferson County Superior Court on Jan. 13, Jascha “Josh” Gabriel Kozelisky is led away from visiting Judge Anna M. Laurie after she gave him the maximum sentence for his crime: 20 months in prison and 36 months of community supervision on Jan. 13. Photo by Lauren Salcedo

“[Kozelisky] remains a real danger, a real risk to children and the community.”Frank Ohly
Washington State Department of Corrections

Jascha “Josh” Gabriel Kozelisky of Port Townsend was sentenced to 20 months in prison and 36 months of community supervision – the maximum penalty for his crime – after violating sentencing terms of his 2008 second-degree child molestation conviction.

Kozelisky addressed the judge and apologized to the court and to his family.

During Kozelisky’s 8:30 a.m. sentencing hearing on Jan. 13, the Jefferson County Superior Courtroom was filled with people waiting to hear the final judgment on his case.

The family of one of his victims attended to gain closure, but felt that despite receiving the maximum, his sentence was not enough.

“I am glad they are prosecuting him to the fullest extent, but it seems like it’s not enough,” said one of the victim’s relatives after the hearing. “He has always gotten a lesser sentence than what he deserves.”

Kozelisky, 39, was originally given a special sex offender sentencing alternative (SSOSA), which required him to undergo sex offender rehabilitation treatment rather than serve an extended prison sentence. Kozelisky reportedly was in treatment with sex-offender therapist Joseph A. Jensen of Clear Creek Psychological Associates in Silverdale, court documents state.

Kitsap County Judge Anna M. Laurie told Kozelisky that the reasons for sentencing him to the maximum were clear.

“In my mind, SSOSA sentences are a chance, the first bite at the apple,” Judge Laurie said. “To say that you understand from here on out rings hollow. That was supposed to happen three years ago.”

Laurie also imposed a sexual assault protection order against Kozelisky, preventing him from having any future contact with his victim.

The prosecution and defense both presented their preferences for his sentencing. Kozelisky’s lawyer said that Kozelisky was not arguing about violating his SSOSA, and suggested placing him into treatment to take care of his problem. Although the judge sentenced him to the maximum, she did not ignore this request for treatment.

“If you are honest about treatment, then that’s where it will be,” Laurie said, after delivering a prison sentence.

Jefferson County Prosecutor Scott W. Rosekrans recommended the maximum sentence. “Our concern is keeping this child and other children safe,” he said. Frank Ohly, of the Department of Corrections, addressed the judge in support of the prosecution’s recommendation.

“He was never to be alone with children, never go into the bedroom,” said Ohly. “As soon as he was allowed back in the house, he started returning to the bedroom.”

On Nov. 25, 2011, Kozelisky was given a polygraph examination by Patrick Seaberg of Gig Harbor Polygraph Services. According to the documents, it was the examiner’s opinion that Kozelisky was attempting deception (lying) when he answered three specific questions about his interaction with the children. The polygraph test results were referenced by both Ohly and Rosekrans during their time with the judge as a reason for imposing the maximum sentence.

Ohly stated in front of the court that he believed Kozelisky was in an escalating cycle of deviant behavior and that he has expressed disregard for the sexual offense victim.

“He remains a real danger, a real risk to children and the community,” Ohly said.

Kozelisky was arrested after allegedly violating his probation by having unauthorized contact with minors, including his victim. He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on Nov. 22, 2011 after the victim in the 2008 case reportedly told her counselor that Kozelisky had been entering her bedroom unsupervised.

The female victim shares a room with her 5-year-old sister, according to court documents.

Jascha “Josh” Gabriel Kozelisky, a 39-year-old Jefferson County resident convicted of second-degree child molestation in 2008, has been arrested after allegedly violating his probation by having unauthorized contact with minors, including his victim.

Kozelisky was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on Nov. 22 after the victim in the 2008 case reportedly told her counselor that Kozelisky had been entering her bedroom unsupervised. The female victim, now 14, shares a room with her 5-year-old sister, according to court documents.

Community Corrections Officer Frank Ohly states in court documents that Kozelisky was arrested at his home and taken to the Department of Corrections (DOC) office for questioning.

According to the documents, Kozelisky admitted to Ohly and Community Corrections Officer Kevin Isett that he had unauthorized contact with the victim and her sister on several occasions, despite being asked by the victim’s mother to stop entering their bedroom.

Kozelisky denied engaging in any inappropriate behavior with either girl, according to court documents. Isett said he could not comment on the case. Ohly could not be reached for comment.

Department of Corrections Communications Director Chad Lewis said that Kozelisky’s risk level is considered low.

“He is considered at a low risk to commit a new crime as of now,” Lewis said on Dec. 13. “But that might change.”

Case history

In 2008, Kozelisky was convicted of second-degree child molestation. According to the charging documents, he entered the 10-year-old girl’s room in December 2007 and was caught molesting her by the victim’s mother. The victim’s mother allegedly told the girl not to tell anyone what happened. According to the state DOC, Kozelisky assaulted the girl approximately 10 times. Kozelisky has a prior conviction of fourth-degree assault, a 2002 case in which he sexually assaulted another female child, according to DOC records.

“[The victim] was originally raped by Kozelisky in her own bedroom. Now, about three years after his conviction, he is back in her bedroom,” wrote Ohly in court documents dated Nov. 30, 2011. “[She] was about 9 years of age when Kozelisky started raping her.”

Alternative sentencing

Jefferson County Judge Craddock Verser told Kozelisky in 2008 that he was the “perfect candidate” for a special sex offender sentencing alternative (SSOSA), which required him to undergo sex offender rehabilitation treatment rather than serve an extended prison sentence. Kozelisky was reportedly in treatment with sex-offender therapist Joseph A. Jensen of Clear Creek Psychological Associates in Silverdale, court documents state.

“With a SSOSA, instead of a prison sentence, the offender receives extensive treatment and supervision,” said Lewis.

In October 2010, Kozelisky was allowed to move onto the property where the victim lived, but was not allowed to have any unsupervised contact with the girl or other female children, court documents state.

The victim’s mother volunteered to be Kozelisky’s supervisor, which required that she report any violation of Kozelisky’s probation requirements, but according to court documents, she failed to do so. “[She] is aware of her responsibilities, but failed to respond as required,” wrote Ohly.

On Nov. 25, Kozelisky was given a polygraph examination by Patrick Seaberg of Gig Harbor Polygraph Services. According to the documents, it was the examiner’s opinion that Kozelisky was attempting deception (lying) when he answered three specific questions about his interaction with the children.

“Kozelisky has shown he has learned little in his three years of treatment,” wrote Ohly, who requested that the court revoke Kozelisky’s SSOSA sentence and impose the suspended sentence, court documents state.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2012.

“At the hearing in January, the CCO will request that his SSOSA be revoked,” Lewis said. Even with a revocation of his sentencing alternative, Kozelisky does not face years in prison.

“[Kozelisky] didn’t have any prior felony convictions,” said Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Scott W. Rosekrans, who explained that if Kozelisky’s SSOSA is revoked, the maximum sentence he could serve is 20 months, which would include a credit for time served.

Taken seriously

Kozelisky reportedly was a member of the Port Townsend Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. His father, Jaime Kozelisky, is the former head of that congregation, according to Kristy Webster, Kozelisky’s second cousin and former member of the congregation. In 2008, after a story about the molestation was printed in the Leader, former Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katherine Gulmert said that five people came forward to say that Kozelisky had assaulted girls they knew, but no one had taken the girls’ complaints seriously.

“It is important for people to realize that this has been an ongoing issue with [Kozelisky],” said Webster on Dec. 12. “They need to take this case way more seriously than they have been. It is not fair to children to allow him contact with kids.”

As of Dec. 13, Kozelisky remained in the Jefferson County Jail, with bail set at $250,000.